Has Shelby become 'Little Asheville'?

Published: Saturday, July 5, 2014 at 12:01 PM.

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It's been a movement years in the making. In recent decades, Shelby's uptown area was home to few restaurants and family-oriented businesses. Many of the establishments in uptown were bars or upscale eateries too expensive for the average family.

But now, the city's character is changing.

Recently, Shelby saw its first abandoned art in uptown, its first gay pride event and drum circles on the court square.

The business community has expanded to include restaurants and shops like the Fuzzy Peach, Pleasant City Wood Fired Grille, Newt's Pub Burgers and Smoke on the Square, many of which regularly host live music.

A growing number of people are living in uptown apartments and condos, taking dance or yoga classes at studios within walking distance, and shopping at the city's unique businesses.

Buskers--street performers--have begun playing for tips and a mysterious group of artists known as “Shelby Creates” recently left inspirational chalk messages on uptown sidewalks.

In late June, community members organized another event: a gay pride picnic called #ShelbyLoves. They expressed the desire to make the picnic an annual event and start a PFLAG (Parents Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) group in Shelby.

The local and organic foods movement is also taking hold, with the uptown farmer’s market offering fruits, produce, meat, baked goods, jewelry, soaps, and arts and crafts.

Many of these projects and events have prompted some community members to christen the city “Ashby,” a combination of Shelby and Asheville.

But what do Shelby’s leaders, visitors and residents think about the possibility of Shelby becoming a “little Asheville?”

'Thriving, eclectic small town'

Jennifer Parrish, a Shelby native now living in Portland, Ore., said she hadn’t been back to Shelby for about a year, but has seen the changes in the city on her recent visit.

“It’s different than it was when we used to be here,” she said, mentioning the coffee shops, wine shops and the farmer’s market.

Karen Ahl, a Shelby native from Sweden, said she visits Shelby about once a year and especially likes the local art movement.

Concerning music, Will Clifton said he thinks the changes in Shelby are a good thing.

“It can’t be a bad thing to have the street musicians because it’s just a way to get more diversity with the music that we’re listening to,” he said.

Chatting over tea in Lily Bean’s Micro-Roasted Coffee, Kim Wyckoff of Chesapeake, Va., and Cyndie Alderman of Charlotte said it was their first time in Shelby, which they found as a halfway point for them to meet.

“I think there is potential to becoming a thriving, eclectic small town,” said Wyckoff.

Both noticed the opportunities for local artists to display and sell their work in shops like Buffalo Creek Art Gallery.

“I definitely think that, especially with the layout of this downtown, being able to grow the shops, being between Asheville and Charlotte, this would be a great halfway point,” said Alderman. “I think there’s a lot of local artists that really could show their work.”

'Coming into our own'

For Audrey Whetten, director of the Uptown Shelby Association, change and growth in Shelby are positive things.

“People who visit the district for the first time - even for the first time in many years - are often struck by the lively atmosphere and level of activity,” she said.

Instead of becoming specifically like another city, Whetten said she believes Shelby is growing into its own identity.

“What’s exciting to me is that we are truly coming into our own as a unique place—whether to live, visit, work, play, shop or dine,” she said. “As a community, we are especially embracing our musical heritage—both through spontaneous occurrences, like the buskers on the sidewalks, and through larger-scale attractions like the Earl Scruggs Center, Don Gibson Theatre, and various music events in the area.”

Celebrating the arts has also grown, through sidewalk chalk art, art abandonment and the art walk, Whetten said.

“We are also very fortunate to have such a variety of vibrant local businesses that not only contribute to our one-of-a-kind atmosphere but who do so much to support each other and our community,” she said.

'We're like Shelby'

Vibrant was also how Mayor Stan Anthony characterized Shelby.

"Frequently I have visitors that come to town, folks that I grew up with, when they come to Shelby, they're amazed that we have such a vibrant uptown," he said.

Anthony said he hadn't heard of the Shelby-Asheville comparison, but that Shelby isn't really like Asheville.

"I think we're like Shelby," he said. "I do think the arts and the street musicians and all that is a real positive for our community because that means you've got young, energetic people moving into our community."

Additionally, over the past six months, Anthony and other community members have been exploring the idea of having a music school in Shelby to further attract a younger demographic to the city. A meeting for community feedback on the idea will be held July 17.

Another positive outcome of having a vibrant uptown is industry, Anthony said.

"We're finding as we're competing with other communities in economic development, that when industry is looking to come into an area, that's one of the things that they like to see. What kind of cultural opportunities do you have, what kind of downtown area do you have, is it vibrant, does it have an urban feel to it," he said. "That's a definite positive. Our uptown has a very nice urban character to it."

Soundoff

The Star asked its readers on Facebook if they think Shelby is becoming a ‘Little Asheville’ and if it's a good thing for the community. Here is a sample of their response. To join the conversation, like “The Shelby Star” on Facebook.

Yes! It'd be a wonderful thing for more positive events to come through the community and liven up the place.

I think we need an Earth Fare before either of those! As someone who just moved back to Cleveland County from Asheville, I'm so excited to see progress and change in our community! It's not like Asheville and I think it's kind of silly to try to be. I like to think Shelby is just coming into its own.

-Celeste Burkhardt

We've lived in Shelby for just about a year now and we love it. We moved from Vegas to enjoy a more "home-town", friendly atmosphere and we are happy so far. I hope that our leaders get a handle on the crime that seems to want to tarnish our community. But I love seeing all the improvements and positive happenings.

-Mel Gherardini

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It's been a movement years in the making. In recent decades, Shelby's uptown area was home to few restaurants and family-oriented businesses. Many of the establishments in uptown were bars or upscale eateries too expensive for the average family.

But now, the city's character is changing.

Recently, Shelby saw its first abandoned art in uptown, its first gay pride event and drum circles on the court square.

The business community has expanded to include restaurants and shops like the Fuzzy Peach, Pleasant City Wood Fired Grille, Newt's Pub Burgers and Smoke on the Square, many of which regularly host live music.

A growing number of people are living in uptown apartments and condos, taking dance or yoga classes at studios within walking distance, and shopping at the city's unique businesses.

Buskers--street performers--have begun playing for tips and a mysterious group of artists known as “Shelby Creates” recently left inspirational chalk messages on uptown sidewalks.

In late June, community members organized another event: a gay pride picnic called #ShelbyLoves. They expressed the desire to make the picnic an annual event and start a PFLAG (Parents Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) group in Shelby.

The local and organic foods movement is also taking hold, with the uptown farmer’s market offering fruits, produce, meat, baked goods, jewelry, soaps, and arts and crafts.

Many of these projects and events have prompted some community members to christen the city “Ashby,” a combination of Shelby and Asheville.

But what do Shelby’s leaders, visitors and residents think about the possibility of Shelby becoming a “little Asheville?”

'Thriving, eclectic small town'

Jennifer Parrish, a Shelby native now living in Portland, Ore., said she hadn’t been back to Shelby for about a year, but has seen the changes in the city on her recent visit.

“It’s different than it was when we used to be here,” she said, mentioning the coffee shops, wine shops and the farmer’s market.

Karen Ahl, a Shelby native from Sweden, said she visits Shelby about once a year and especially likes the local art movement.

Concerning music, Will Clifton said he thinks the changes in Shelby are a good thing.

“It can’t be a bad thing to have the street musicians because it’s just a way to get more diversity with the music that we’re listening to,” he said.

Chatting over tea in Lily Bean’s Micro-Roasted Coffee, Kim Wyckoff of Chesapeake, Va., and Cyndie Alderman of Charlotte said it was their first time in Shelby, which they found as a halfway point for them to meet.

“I think there is potential to becoming a thriving, eclectic small town,” said Wyckoff.

Both noticed the opportunities for local artists to display and sell their work in shops like Buffalo Creek Art Gallery.

“I definitely think that, especially with the layout of this downtown, being able to grow the shops, being between Asheville and Charlotte, this would be a great halfway point,” said Alderman. “I think there’s a lot of local artists that really could show their work.”

'Coming into our own'

For Audrey Whetten, director of the Uptown Shelby Association, change and growth in Shelby are positive things.

“People who visit the district for the first time - even for the first time in many years - are often struck by the lively atmosphere and level of activity,” she said.

Instead of becoming specifically like another city, Whetten said she believes Shelby is growing into its own identity.

“What’s exciting to me is that we are truly coming into our own as a unique place—whether to live, visit, work, play, shop or dine,” she said. “As a community, we are especially embracing our musical heritage—both through spontaneous occurrences, like the buskers on the sidewalks, and through larger-scale attractions like the Earl Scruggs Center, Don Gibson Theatre, and various music events in the area.”

Celebrating the arts has also grown, through sidewalk chalk art, art abandonment and the art walk, Whetten said.

“We are also very fortunate to have such a variety of vibrant local businesses that not only contribute to our one-of-a-kind atmosphere but who do so much to support each other and our community,” she said.

'We're like Shelby'

Vibrant was also how Mayor Stan Anthony characterized Shelby.

"Frequently I have visitors that come to town, folks that I grew up with, when they come to Shelby, they're amazed that we have such a vibrant uptown," he said.

Anthony said he hadn't heard of the Shelby-Asheville comparison, but that Shelby isn't really like Asheville.

"I think we're like Shelby," he said. "I do think the arts and the street musicians and all that is a real positive for our community because that means you've got young, energetic people moving into our community."

Additionally, over the past six months, Anthony and other community members have been exploring the idea of having a music school in Shelby to further attract a younger demographic to the city. A meeting for community feedback on the idea will be held July 17.

Another positive outcome of having a vibrant uptown is industry, Anthony said.

"We're finding as we're competing with other communities in economic development, that when industry is looking to come into an area, that's one of the things that they like to see. What kind of cultural opportunities do you have, what kind of downtown area do you have, is it vibrant, does it have an urban feel to it," he said. "That's a definite positive. Our uptown has a very nice urban character to it."

Soundoff

The Star asked its readers on Facebook if they think Shelby is becoming a ‘Little Asheville’ and if it's a good thing for the community. Here is a sample of their response. To join the conversation, like “The Shelby Star” on Facebook.

Yes! It'd be a wonderful thing for more positive events to come through the community and liven up the place.

I think we need an Earth Fare before either of those! As someone who just moved back to Cleveland County from Asheville, I'm so excited to see progress and change in our community! It's not like Asheville and I think it's kind of silly to try to be. I like to think Shelby is just coming into its own.

-Celeste Burkhardt

We've lived in Shelby for just about a year now and we love it. We moved from Vegas to enjoy a more "home-town", friendly atmosphere and we are happy so far. I hope that our leaders get a handle on the crime that seems to want to tarnish our community. But I love seeing all the improvements and positive happenings.